Wisdom teeth guide

What wisdom teeth are

Cleveland Clinic describes wisdom teeth as the last set of teeth to grow in, also called third molars, usually erupting between ages 17 and 25. Because they come in last, there is often not enough room in the jaw for them, which is why so many are impacted.

What impacted wisdom teeth are

Impacted wisdom teeth are partly or fully trapped in the gums or jawbone. Cleveland Clinic cites the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons estimate that 90 percent of people have at least one. It happens when the jaw lacks space or the tooth erupts at the wrong angle, and the types include mesial (angled forward, the most common), distal (angled backward), vertical and horizontal (lying on its side, which often causes pain).

Symptoms to watch for

Symptoms may be absent, or appear suddenly or gradually. Cleveland Clinic lists pain or swelling in the jaw or face, red, swollen or bleeding gums, a bad taste or bad breath, difficulty opening the mouth fully, and headaches with pain that radiates to the jaw, face and head. Our guide on whether wisdom teeth can cause headaches covers how and why in more detail.

Problems wisdom teeth can cause

Healthline describes partial eruption leaving a flap of gum that traps food and bacteria and can cause infection, pericoronitis (an inflamed gum condition), tooth decay in partly impacted teeth, cysts that can damage the jawbone and nerves, and damage to the neighboring second molar. Cleveland Clinic also lists abscesses and gum disease among the complications.

Does a wisdom tooth always need to come out?

No. Cleveland Clinic says removal is usually recommended if the teeth cause pain, infection or damage, that some dentists recommend it preventively, and that if the teeth cause no problems removal is often unnecessary. Healthline says that damage to other teeth, partial eruption with decay, infection or gum disease are reasons a dentist may recommend extraction, and suggests routine checkups about every six months so the dentist can monitor growth. Dental X-rays can detect impaction before symptoms appear.

What removal and recovery involve

Removal is oral surgery. Cleveland Clinic says impacted teeth are harder to remove but not necessarily more painful, that pain relievers are provided afterwards, and that most people fully recover in one to two weeks and can return to work, school and normal routines within a few days. The anesthetic and medicines used depend on your surgeon and your case, so ask the practice what is planned. If you have sedation or a general anesthetic, the NHS says not to drive for 48 hours after a general anesthetic or 24 hours after a sedative injection, and Healthline advises arranging a ride home.

Risks of removal include dry socket, infection and injury to nerves, the jawbone, sinuses or other teeth, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Aftercare guides

Recovery goes best when you follow your surgeon's written instructions. Our aftercare guides cover the details, including what to eat after wisdom teeth removal, whether you can drink alcohol, and brushing and rinsing. Healthline's recovery guide says most people are near the end of recovery by about day seven, though impacted or complicated teeth can take up to two weeks.

Planning for treatment

If removal is recommended, ask which teeth are being removed, whether they are impacted, what type of anesthesia or sedation is planned, who will perform the surgery, and what follow-up is included. Putting these in writing makes it easier to compare estimates.

Guides in this topic

Frequently asked questions